dogwoods in the house & garden

The pair of dogwoods we have planted in the narrow bed on the back of our garage are in  bloom right now. They were pink but this year they are white. This is probably due to the alkaline clay soil we have.

You cannot tell from the photo above (foliage is blending with trees in background) but the left one is similar size to the right. We planted them there to cover the large expanse of siding on either side of the single window. They are filling the space beautifully. We are so happy with them.

Aren't they so pretty?

Brought a few branches into the house to enjoy....

Our AC is on today, too muggy and hot. We are needing rain badly and hoping for some this afternoon. Weekend looks to be cooling down, which we will enjoy. Unusual to have our air conditioning on this early in the summer.

How is it in your neck of the woods? Are your dogwoods in bloom? Is it getting too warm too early?  Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone!

Thank you for visiting!

Cindy

things I like this week

1.  Simple kitchen beauty...image from Australia's "Martha Stewart" Donna Hay, visit her website here.

2. I want another Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project and have been searching the house for something I can paint. Would love to find a dresser at consignment or thrift similar to this one for one of our bedrooms and paint it in Louis Blue with a light coat of dark wax applied on top.

3. What a beautiful way to create separation on a patio. Drought tolerant ornamental grasses in glazed pots. Design by Mark English.

4. I love Meg Braff's rooms.... always fresh, traditional, and pretty!

5. The most elegant summer accessory.... Elizabeth Locke earrings.

 6. Gingham ribbon and embossed gift wrap, Carolyne Roehm used to sell both on her website but can copy the look for a little summer gift.

7. Linen lovers should spend a few minutes on Libeco's site or visit one of their stores when traveling in Europe. The ultimate in linen products. Shop here in the US. The gorgeous monogram on this Libeco pillow is done No. Four Eleven and can be purchased here.

8. I have copied this look this spring, but my skirt is about 3" longer! From Suburbly Chic tumbler.

9. The prettiest drink EVER! Ice cubes made with distilled water and edible flowers. Layer water in cube tray 1/3 up and freeze. Add flowers (or a raspberry or blueberry) and bit more water and freeze. One more layer on top. Here is the Martha how to.

What things are you liking this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

Kips Bay Show House

Our daughter toured Kips Bay Show House on the Upper East Side of Manhattan last week during a Hearst Design Group/ House Beautiful event. I posted a shot of her with Martyn Lawrence Bullard the other day. Most of the decorators were New York based and not known to me with the exception of LA designer Kathryn M. Ireland and kitchen designer Christopher Peacock.

She took photos with her phone so quality is poor. As they were exiting, she overheard that no photographs were to be taken, oops.

Since show house designs are meant to impress in a dramatic way, most of the rooms are not really to my liking but take a look and see what you think. I will give  a few opinions...

Like this desk vignette of course.

And this bar... a lot of provocative art was used throughout the townhouse.

The moss on the wall and design of this end of the roof....yuck,terrible!

Bath tub on the roof- silly, daughter said it could be seen from lots of neighboring buildings.

This end much better with comfortable seating and water feature.

Family room is fine, a huge bowl of marshmallows on the table, whatever!

No, not good, don't like the bathroom!

NO! Silly design, hate the whole room.

Daughter loved the fish wall.

Kathryn Ireland's bedroom was of course pretty and livable as all her work is. Features her textile collection.

Like the birds.

Love the bed.

 Provocative art.

Not loving the dining room.

The design of the gravel courtyard does not make me want to sit in it. The boxwoods and pachysandra bed look fresh and heathy though. Love the trees.

Martyn in the dark Christopher Peacock kitchen. Against trend, like our dark kitchen.

Love it when famous people are friendly and fun. They really enjoyed spending time with him.

What do you think of the Kips Bay Show House this year?  Visit the website here for much more info. View professional photographs here in the New York Times slideshow of the house.

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy